[Uzumaki Ataru]

It had been a couple of weeks since the last time he saw her, having dodged dozens if not hundreds of Shuriken thrown by the hand of his new Sensei in an effort to hone his skills. He had asked to be put to the test and she gladly obliged him and with it, as the adrenaline pumped out of his body, it came replaced by a wave of stinging pain born from various weeping cuts lining the canvas of his body. Afterward, he got punched in the head once his mother saw the state he returned in, making up an excuse about falling off the Hokage monument before finally being forced to fess up in the face of his mother’s wrath. She had clapped him upside the head and gave him a stern talking to, but still, she let him leave the house to pursue his training. On his very first outing, the young boy leaps and bounds across rooftops with newfound competence traversing through various treelines. Returning to the same isolated training ground, he leaps down onto the curated dirt. Craning his head around to see about himself and who else might be present.

Proceeding to dust himself off he proceeds to do a series of stretches so as to limber up and act as a kickstart to the day, remembering the numerous seals by heart, that had been drilled into him just like the rushing beat of his heart. He stands straight before extending a leg outward to the edge of his reach, twisting his body in the opposite direction and extending outward before moving to do the same vice versa. Bending over he grabs onto the tips of his feet before switching to hook his legs back behind himself. Afterward, he seeks to mimic the frantic moves he performed in the heat of the moment last time. He finds it somewhat difficult but not impossible, though it didn’t amount to the real thing but it was certainly a start from where they left off together. Sucking in a breath of fresh air, he performs a myriad of acrobatics whilst forming hand seals the entire time, imagining the ingrained pattern of throwing stars barreling toward him.

Stopping once an idea forms. Ataru wonders if he could rig a contraption that might work in Shinde's place, he places two hands on either side of his body and stares on in contemplative thought. After the sorry state he showed up in prior, with the help of those in his clan and mother; Ataru healed rapidly and recovered fully within the agreed-upon time frame. Waiting to see when she would show up, he could scarcely contain himself… ready and more than willing to resume their training.

[Hatake Shinde]

Honestly. Having to explain to Ataru’s mother how he got a Shuriken in the hand was a bit of a story, but luckily, she was able to come by again to teach Ataru further in his tutelage. After all, she explained that she had a level of self-control, and that she was simply preparing him for harshness. In the next weeks to come, Shinde might as well have looked like a different person entirely to Ataru. For within the span of about a month? Maybe a bit longer? She transformed her body into something that was hardly recognizable compared to before. She rid herself of the feelings of imperfections and the weaknesses of her form.

She’d rid herself of some of the more lithe and girlish parts of her body, and instead, she looked toned and fit. Muscle replaced softness, and it was there she showed a set of six-pack muscles. Coming forth with a myriad of supplies and training goods, she intended to be here for the next few days, in which case she would mold Ataru further into becoming a splendid ninja. Though, Shinde didn’t seem to be as vibrant and bright as she had previously.

"Let’s get to training. I hope you’ve been keeping up with your work.” That said, she proceeded to look him over with a sharpness to her gaze. Her arms and legs were wrapped in bandages and sports tape. She stretched her neck from one side and then to the other as she rested before him. The day was going to be long and arduous, and she didn’t seem to have much warm familiarity at this frame in time. Instead, a neutrally blank expression.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He hadn’t shirked the time spent in recovery, practicing every day from then until now. Even when confined to his bed he performed hand seals until his fingers went bone white from the sheer effort and twisted up more than the roots of an old oak tree. Slinking out of bed to work out, performing multiple sets of push-ups and sit-ups resorting to strength training even when his body screamed at him to remain laid up. His body transformed into one more bundled up with stretches of lean muscle, as he sought to athletically hone himself in between regimens. A single-minded determination drove Ataru in those days of respite, where some might have despaired and resigned themselves to having failed the fiery-haired young boy never lost his smile.

Previously he might’ve fallen into the habits of more traditional boyhood pursuits and still did on occasion for his siblings, but he was a kid possessed pursuing something that laid just out of his reach almost absentmindedly. Spinning around on his heel he faces Shinde as his eyes widen at what he sees, she had undergone a similar but more intensely profound transformation in terms of her appearance. Finishing up the last of his stretching as she ends her only succinct string of words, smiling from ear to ear as he cradles his hands behind his head in a carefree manner. However, an undertone of seriousness fills his piercing gaze, anathema to his easygoing body language Ataru rolls his shoulders and takes on a battle-ready stance.

"I have and you too, it seems. Let’s do this!”

Sliding his feet against the ground situating them widely apart, etching his heel into it ready to ready to bounce away in any direction no matter what she throws at him. Pressing his hands together he folds his fingers together crisscrossing them whilst pushing both his pointer and thumbs together.

[Hatake Shinde]

It was within those next moments that he spoke. Enthusiastic as always it seemed. Or perhaps eager for punishment was more the word. When she bore witness to him sliding his feet along the ground, to prepare to bounce and bound, she withdrew the Shuriken within her own grasp. Except this time, the nature of the technique she was looking to perform was a bit different. For she began to throw them in such an odd manner that there was a slight delay between them. Minuscule gaps of time as they shot forward. Arcing in their flight, they whistled in the wind,

They began to mix within one another as she tried to align them more closely together so that the shadow of the Shuriken began to meld closer under the shadows of the first. The Shadow Shuriken Jutsu. She wanted to experiment with newer methods and perfect her Shuriken techniques. They would assist her in layering and creating more complicated combinations. In addition, it could help her intensify the ones she already had. Arcing the blades, she was hoping to take him by surprise. However, it was difficult to get something perfect on the first try. Still.

The blades were closely interrelated. She threw them slower to start, just to get him readjusted to the situation, but one could guarantee that her firepower would only intensify with the passing of time. With her eyes focused on his movements, she began to predict the way he’d move, and with it, she began to train not on his legs, but instead his chest and center. His eyes. The sun was hot as its rays shone down upon them, and Shinde was prepared for a long day.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He had that same glint in his eye, one of a daring boldness he shared upon the day he roared in abject frustrated exhilaration and staunchly made effort. Watching like a hawk as she flicks her wrist, and then as another two fingers send an accompanying one careening along the original’s winding arc. His form was still draped in bandages but they were light enough not to affect his movements, but as she doubles the rate at which they are thrown the young boy squinted seeing the turn style from both leaving different shadows a hair apart from one another. The realizations hit like a bolt of lightning striking through his brain, whose shock radiates throughout the pooling breadth of his mind and resonates deeply inside their thoughts.

She was layering her shuriken to conceal them, smart! Twisting his body as he darts between them both, hearing the duel layered thunk one after another as they strike the training dummy behind him in tandem providing confirmation. Giving a satisfied smirk at her switch up on him, this certainly ramped things up; he would need to be concerned about follow-ups hidden in the shadow of others atop everything else she could throw at him. Though a flash of surprise still splays across his face, proceeding to dart past the following combos working to get a rhythmic pace down and continually evading while performing hand seals under duress.

He knew the firepower that would be incoming, but felt prepared for it, conducting the seals somewhat expertly so that some of the signs might begin to blur as the tempo of their dance of shuriken and bodies amped up. There was no small talk needed, Ataru looked forward to a full day of challenging himself and putting himself to the task so he could meet expectations. He would improve through this, grow stronger, and become a better Shinobi while also helping someone he respected.

[Hatake Shinde]

He seemed to catch on rather quickly to the machinations of her assaults. He was able to dodge fairly well enough. However, It was in those next moments that she found herself ceasing her assault. Instead? She proceeds to form a singular hand seal as she vanishes in a blurring rapid speed that otherwise would be impossible to trace or find. That was, unless he looked upwards into the air. There, Shinde was many feet in the sky as she twisted her body in an arcing spiral. She hurled now many Shuriken that flew downwards upon him from a higher vantage.

A much harder to dodge onslaught as they arced and twisted, utilizing her inertia to hurl them with even further momentum. If Ataru were to be able to dodge all of these unscathed, she’d be relatively impressed. For as she halted in the sky, she began a downward spiral as she opens her cloak pocket. Drawing forth the Fuma Shuriken, she unfolds it as she closes her eyes. "Demon Wind Shuriken…” She corrects herself and hurls the Shuriken outwards towards Ataru, as instead of flying horizontally, it corrects itself vertically.

"Windmill of Shadows!” The Shuriken would whir violently as the second attempts to lash outwards in the Shadow. An optical illusion as the two Shuriken were infact headed directly towards Ataru. The flashiness of the display and the other Shuriken hiding the true intention. Assuming he did dodge their spin, they’d be pulled tautly along their strings, stopping them from advancing any further, before she begins to guide and swing the Shuriken to alter their trajectory. They began to twist and arc around, ripping through wooden dummies, as they arced back to chase Ataru one more time. Quite possibly the most dangerous game of "tag” he’d ever play in his entire life.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He was good at thinking on his feet, a smart kid who was a fast study, managing to evade her barrages up until now. That was before she ceased her attacks and folds her fingers together striking a hand seal. Phase shifting in a blur outside of his field of vision, he looks over his shoulders one way and then the other before quickly registering the dull reverb of Shuriken radiating from above. Even before gazing skyward his mind reacts implicitly weaving in a frenzy of evasive footwork, weathering the harrowing storm of throwing stars raining down upon him in a lengthy sequence of movement.

Now this was crazy, but to a kid who didn't seem to care or who didn't know that this was out of the ordinary he instead adapted to the situation as it came thrown into his face. As they arc and twist amidst the air it lets loose a terrifying yet haunting cascade of whistling as they sail forth at a rapid rate, flipping, and side-stepping with precision Ataru exemplifies a great sense of cognition and reactionary speed despite the high-octane situation. But as the floating form of Shinde flips into the air he never forgets to underestimate nor lose sight of his master.

By now, the seals were muscle memory, the barest of thought put into their formation as he stared headlong at the Ashen Kunoichi. Gazing on as she draws forth the large Shuriken, as she unfolds it a root of determination sprouts etching its way into the Uzumaki's heart while he watches it unfurl. The fwoomp of its unsheathing before its sent careening through the air traveling on a silky breeze whilst its brisk path cuts a cleaving path towards him. Dodging them in an initial weave, he knew there had to be some kind of trick to it. Giving their path a wide berth, but out of the corner of his eye, the boy sees as they both alter trajectory. He had hit the nail right on the head, it was too brazen and flashy for it to be anything else.

Strung up on wires and doubled using its shadow… coming to the determination rapidly he leaps into action swerving around a tree as it closely follows. Shifting himself at the last moment in a way that would hopefully entangle it amidst the branches or wrap around the trunk of it. Cutting the lines if so, afterward, he would use her vulnerability of being drawn and caught into the air to cast his own ninja tools at her. Sending a couple of Kunai and three Shuriken at her descending form, placing it in a space she is sure to travel downwards toward moving to anticipate her descent while doing so. While in cover, ducked down on one knee hidden away from her direct line of sight he performs a series of hand seals and evades using the concealment of both the treeline and surrounding shrubbery.

[Hatake Shinde]

His skills in dodging were impressive enough for a kid his age. He sought to swiftly throw himself every which way to dodge her Shuriken, and then used cover as to avoid the Fuma Shuriken she threw at him. She began her descent and she was relatively pleased by his performance. He was getting used to the feeling of that danger she supposed. Though, in those next moments, as he swerved about the tree, and as the giant Shuriken sank into the branches and trunk, with loud thunks into the wood? He decided to return an assault. In truth? She wasn’t exactly expecting him to retaliate back. After all, that wasn’t the purpose of the training.

However, it didn’t mean in situations such as this, she wasn’t prepared. Pulling tautly on her hands, the wires screech, and as he threw his weapons, there was a slight delay to her fall, as she uses the tension to increase her inertia, twisting her body as she shifts her momentum and begins using the strings as tethers to swing herself, before flipping into the air and landing atop the branch in question. Looking down upon Ataru as she rests in place. "Rule number one. Never leave yourself in a position where you cannot retaliate .” WIth her perspective given, she proceeds to rest there. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"You’ve gotten a little bit bolder.” She exclaims, before slowly threading her fingers out from the wire. Its purpose expended. "You dodge like a monkey now. Though it wouldn’t kill you to use the substitution now and again. The basics are the basics because they’re timeless and effective. Yet. They might just save your life.”

[Uzumaki Ataru]

His act of turning things around was one meant to keep Shinde on her toes though a flash of surprise came across his face as she pulled taught on a series of wires left unsevered, a loud screech echoing into the air with a shrill cry. Witnessing her twist their body amidst the air using both momentum and inertia born from the wires strength as well as her own agility to maneuver in a swinging motion out of the projected descent he had thrown his practice tools at. Looking as she flips and lands on a branch overhead, as the Shuriken and Kunei go flying off he smiles from ear to ear amazed at her ability but also feeling slightly victorious despite her words.

"It's a good thing I didn't then."

He says proudly, but not from where she might expect… appearing out from behind a tree and nearby group of shrubs situated at her back. The Ataru she had spoken to subsequently dissipates revealing itself as an illusionary clone, one that took his place being summoned as she found herself distracted while the Uzumaki managed to secret himself away.

"But it's still a good rule, something to live by!"

Rubbing the back of his head in appreciation of the slight praise, it was gratifying at the moment but didn't serve to go to the young boy's head. He was conscientious of being overconfident, like Shinde Sensei warned him about. All it took was one mistake… but as she mentions the basics, and substituting himself the wind in his sails deflates and he laughs somewhat nervously scratching at his cheek while looking off in the distance before returning his gaze to Shinde.

"About that; I don't think you're wrong but the thing is… I don't quite know the substitution Jutsu yet. I've only learned Henge, Bunshin, and Kakuremino no Jutsu so far."

[Hatake Shinde]

There was a good moment or two where Shinde looked down, and looked at the boy coming out from the shrubs as his Bunshin poofed away into nothingness. "Not half bad.” She expresses honestly, having heard his voice before anything else. Turning upon her high ground, she found herself surprised that he hadn’t learned the substitution yet. It was a vital technique in more ways than one. "Well then. If that’s the case? It’s as good a time as any to learn. I’m sure you know the seals already. If not? Learn them and commit them to memory.” She’d show him the seals if he didn’t know them, flashing through them slow enough so that he could ingrain the sight into his mind.

Before long, she heads off and gathers all of her throwing weapons, untangles her wire, and gives him some time to practice substituting with any of the many stones, logs, or other bits of debris for him to swap places with. He’d probably need to learn this jutsu and master it if he wanted her to intensify their training any further. As she waited, she thought back to her own training, and found herself shifting and stretching her arms and shoulders. It was a fairly long day so far. Wasn’t it? She found herself asking a question as she did the idle task.

"...Do you suppose my training’s a bit too harsh for you?” She found herself asking. "People would say that this method I’m using is a bit much. If not extreme. I wouldn’t blame you if you felt the same.” Shuffling through her throwing stars, she found herself truly wondering his thought process. Considering everything, Ataru seemed far too eager to push himself, and she wasn’t sure what was driving him just yet. "If you don’t mind me asking. What kind of ninja is it that you’re looking to become? Because. Well. Depending on your answer? Maybe talk to your mom. Ask her if you’d like to be my apprentice.”

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Listening as she speaks honestly, it helped Ataru to feel a bit accomplished as she pays a compliment to the aspiring Shinobi. As she mentions how it was surprising he hadn't learned it yet but stresses how important it was and that she would teach him, he lets out a bright jovial cheer. He already knew the signs somewhat from studying but watches intently as Shinde performs them in a live example, consigning them to memory.

"Heck yeah! Alright, now lemme give it a shot."

The signs were something he no longer needed to think about, feeling as natural as breathing given everything he had endured. Forming them in his hands, one after another the Uzumaki had become proficient. As he performed the hand seals they passed in a near blur as he got them down pat. Disappearing after the third time repeating the string of seals, recreating the Jutsu but doing it only now for real, calling the name of it aloud as he switches places with a nearby log. Reappearing a short ways away having clearly swapped places, jumping into the air he lets out a victorious yell and small laugh.

Listening as Shinde walks and talks, collecting her spent ninja tools, Ataru does the Jutsu a handful more times. Getting an idea of how it feels as well as gauging the distance and utility of it. As she asks him outright, questioning what he thought of her training style and what kind of ninja he wanted to be. The fiery-haired youth went uncharacteristically quiet, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet and folding his arms together seemingly in thought before stopping fully.

"Well, I don't think what you're doing is 'too much'. You're preparing me for what it's really like, right? That can't be wrong… even though it's hard, it feels rewarding. A Shinobi needs to be challenged so they can improve. To work hard is not only my ninja way but a man's duty! One day, I'll be the best Shinobi in Konoha, that way I can bring peace to the village and protect those in it."

Ataru speaks with a gleam to his eye, conviction in his heart, and a fierceness to his tone; giving a prompt speech. He comes across as a determined and stubborn youth, dauntless and resilient in equal measure. Ready to tackle anything that is thrown at him and face down whatever challenge or foe comes his way. As she mentions him being mentored further and even becoming her apprentice he angles his head to the side quizzically.

"I thought I already was your student, what's the difference between what we are now and becoming an apprentice?"

[Hatake Shinde]

He said that what she did wasn’t "too much”, and with it, she found herself really thinking about her experiences. How she’d had insects devour her flesh. Shrapnel of metal digging into her flesh, and the burning smell of her skin. She found herself wondering if the training she was giving him was really preparing him for the real thing. She found herself thinking about his words. His man’s duty, his resolve, and the peace and protection he spoke about bringing. She decided to be as she always is with him. "It’s far from the real experience.” She said it honestly.

"Because when you’re in that actual moment?” She thought about Yakitsukeru’s eyes. Azarea’s bloodlust. "They’ll try to kill you. You’ll feel it.” She said it so coldly, and with it, she wasn’t really sure if his upbeat attitude could break her from her feelings of negativity. She seemed to look very distant in those moments, before she took her Shuriken and lined them in her fingers. Implying she’d never really tried to kill him. Which was true. Because if she did? She was rather certain that with true killing intent? If she really, and honest to god tried? She wouldn’t miss .

"To be my apprentice instead of just a student now? Means that when you become a Genin. Or close to it. I’ll teach you everything I have to offer. That until you surpass me, I’ll beat into you my techniques. Train you fiercely and more intimately than we are now.” It might have been hard to imagine what more intense could have been like with Shinde. However, her eyes seemed to convey that she was telling the truth as she took deep breaths. "Our relationship is very superficial right now. I doubt that anything we’ve done together has truly changed your life or outlook on things.”

"Do you understand?”

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Watching as she really thinks about it quite intensely he knew he didn't know what it was truly like, not really… he could only hazard the barest guess. But the training they'd done together helped to harden and mold the boy for what would be coming in the future. Listening as she spoke, confirming as much to him Ataru pursed his lips together in a pouting gesture folding his arms over the other one indignantly, though remained glad that she was being honest with him.

"Yeah, well it may not be but it's the best I have and is closer than what they teach us at the academy."

She spoke with an icy coldness to her tone but it did little to dim the radiant shine that seemed to beam from the Uzumaki. Smiling readily Ataru hears her out while performing the substitution Jutsu again and again, fumbling a handful of times after the fluke success before then succeeding dissipating only to be replaced by a stone in his place. Reappearing a short distance aways with a look of accomplishment readable across his face. Listening well and truly, viewing how she flexes her regathered ninja tools in her hand with a deadly flourish, gulping slightly he imagines how hard it'll be going onward and strangely looking forward to learning whatever she had to teach him. Clearing his throat with a stifled cough before speaking in return.

"I already feel it, your cuts sting. People can get hurt and many even die, I know that just like I know that you weren't trying to kill me. Not really… but you helped me and that's all that matters. I want to be a better ninja, and I feel like I could learn a lot from you Shinde Sensei. I understand what you mean, and wanna see it for myself - so please, let me be your apprentice!

He exclaims the last statement loudly in a proud tone whereas the first string of his speech radiates a joking playful sense of sarcasm before evolving into one of genuine heartfelt sincerity.

[Hatake Shinde]

His response was for some reason exactly what she expected. Which helped her lips curl upwards for a moment. "You’re such a boy.” She said, before hearing his words out. How he said her cuts stung. How people could get hurt and die. It helped that in a way, he kind of looked up to her, and in that regard, she found herself soon standing a little bit taller as she finally recovered all of her tools. Her smile widened a little bit when he mentioned that he wanted to be her apprentice. So, with that said? She found herself nodding her head fervently. "Very well.”

"Then if that’s the case? I’ll make sure to beat all my jutsu into you.” With her declaration fully made, she found herself stepping back a few steps, before releasing a salvo of throwing weapons upon him with a flick of her wrist. The stars blurring as they whir. They meld more efficiently into the shadows as she best estimates the timing needed, and they whip out toward him. To ensure first and foremost he could use the substitution within a combat application. He was going to need to be able to do at least that much when the going got rough. Wasn’t he?

"Starting from this day forward, I’ll take you on as my apprentice. When you become a Genin, I’ll teach you the best of my techniques. Then. When the day comes that you can beat me and surpass me? We’ll be rivals.” Cheerfully expressing, she gives him a genuine shine of teeth. Hopefully, that’d tickle his fancy. Something for him to work toward.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Shinde smiled and as she did Ataru smiled back at her. Wholeheartedly with a wide brimming goofy grin plastered across his face. As she slams him for being a boy he was confused but the way in which she said it made him appreciate the distinction as if it were some badge of honor that he took in stride. At that moment, he looked up to her for she was one of the few people in his life who actively taught the youngster earnestly and who gave a modicum more attention as well as care to him than what was demanded or considered normal through classes at the academy.

"Hang on, what do ya mean by beating them into me?”

He didn’t need to look much further for a response as she takes a few steps back and the hairs on the end of his neck stand up in anticipation of a coming barrage. A cascade of throwing weapons come thundering forth in a harrowing salvo beelining towards him. Reacting implicitly, he had honed his instincts and movements for this very purpose flipping around into a side-stepping motion, he dodges the initial wave but finds himself caught out in the open. Deciding to use what he had just learned, the Uzumaki quickly places his fingers together and performs a series of hand seals dissipating only to be replaced by a block of wood.

Reappearing behind the hardcover of a stout trunk, the resounding and repeated strikes from dozens of shuriken and kunai could be heard impacting the wooden surface as well as clattering all around where he originally stood. A thumbs up comes out from behind the tree as she pronounces how starting from today on, he would be her apprentice and she would teach him the best of what she knew. His head pops around the curve of the tree holding that same characteristic goofball smile, speaking a succinct string of jovial words accompanying the boy’s clearly cheery disposition.

"Really?!? Alright! Looking forward to it, Sensei!”